DMV
Halts Insurance Mailings

In
October, 2002, the Department of Motor Vehicles began addressing the problem of
incomplete insurance records. As a
result, hundreds of insured motorists received requests to verify insurance
information. The DMV has
temporarily halted the mailing of insurance verification requests to motorists
renewing their registrations. The department will continue to mail requests to
motorists when insurance companies send notification indicating a drop or lapse
in insurance coverage. To assist in the correction of incomplete records, the
DMV has submitted a second request to insurance companies asking that they
submit their entire “book of business.”

One of Nevada’s largest insurers has already submitted their book of
business which represented more than 175,000 records. Seven other companies have
recently agreed to provide their Nevada policy information. DMV Director Ginny
Lewis said she is pleased with this response.

“We regret the inconvenience our effort to improve the Insurance
Verification Program has caused many long–time Nevadans and their insurance
companies,” said DMV Director Ginny Lewis. “Our insurance data base is only as complete and accurate as the
information provided to us by the insurance companies.”

Improvements
to the Insurance Verification Program in fiscal year 2002 showed dramatic
results in identifying uninsured motorists. In fiscal year 2002, 46,773 motorists reinstated their vehicle
registration following a suspension for no insurance as compared to 19,582
reinstatements in fiscal year 2001.

In addition to keeping uninsured motorists off the road, revenues from
the reinstatement fees totaled $8.4
million, more than double the DMV projection of $3.8 million. The majority of
this revenue reverts to the State Highway Fund and is used for highway
improvements.

“It is important to remember that the purpose of the Insurance
Verification Program is to identify uninsured motorists and keep them off of our
highways,” said Lewis. “The key to its success is the exchange of
information between the insurance companies and the department.”

The department strongly urges motorists to complete and return insurance
verification requests, even in cases where the policy has been in effect for a
long period. The department will then validate the motorist’s information with
the insurance company. In cases
where the motorist or the insurance company fails to respond to the request, the
DMV is required by law to suspend the vehicle registration. For specific
questions or problems call Insurance Verification at 800-344-0483, email
or log on to www.dmvnv.com for
general information about the insurance program.